Aston Villa v Stoke City Pre-Match Thread

[*shellac*]

Such a rugged football team but have one player out and three still in the closet.

[Theo]

I don't really know what to think about that game, I see us struggling a bit but still a win for Villa. 2-0 Benteke and Agbonlahor.

[Simon Ward]

Forfar 4 East Fife 5

[robbo1874]

I'd love to beat them, but fear (and predict) a draw. 1-1.

[l_mckay]

2-1 villa win. Benteke penalty and Delph  for us

[St AustellAVFC]

3-0. Benteke x3. Bring on utd.

[robbo1874]

3-0. Benteke x3. Bring on utd.

on the back of their wins against olympiacos in Europe and city in the prem??

Ahhh, shit! Never a good time for us to play those twats...

[Jon Crofts]

I love the fact that useless spunktrumpet Ireland is disallowed from playing against us this weekend, big up to whoever slipped that clause in there.  That said maybe there was a clause in his contract when we signed him that he wasn't allowed to play at Villa Park ever.

Villa 3 Sterk 1

[big 1st serve]

Dire game, 0-0

Will spend the afternoon in the Bartons instead.

[peter w]

I thought players couldn't be ineligible once they turned a transfer into a permanent one?

Ireland's actually been o.k up there, got MOTM in the West Ham game. He's one of those though that when he does play at VP next season you can see him completely disappearing with all the abuse he'd get.

He was on loan for the season but they wanted another player on loan so asked us to make it a full transfer. Good move from the club if you ask me. You want him then we'll treat it as a loan deal still and he can't play against us. All the aces and well played.

[Legion]

Hopefully, this will be this season's 'Sunderland'. 8-2 to us.

[Lastfootstamper]

Just seen that Stoke haven't won away from home in the league since August 31st against West Ham

Why would you do this? Why? Why?

[Tony Erdington]

tough game, cuz they wont come and try and play expansive football, they'll try and contain and frustrate, and we are at best an inexperienced young team.
I was won over by Joe Bennett against chelscum, Vlaar was immense, with a little luck we'll win, but a draw is not the end of the world.

[UK Redsox]

I thought players couldn't be ineligible once they turned a transfer into a permanent one?

Ireland's actually been o.k up there, got MOTM in the West Ham game. He's one of those though that when he does play at VP next season you can see him completely disappearing with all the abuse he'd get.

He was on loan for the season but they wanted another player on loan so asked us to make it a full transfer. Good move from the club if you ask me. You want him then we'll treat it as a loan deal still and he can't play against us. All the aces and well played.

Why would Villa not want Ireland playing against them ?

One sight of Delph flying in to tackle him and Ireland would disappear for the rest of the game

[SoccerHQ]

Our record against Hughes is iffy enough isn't it? I did enjoy Gabby's perfect hat-trick against him the week before Man Sheikhy were born, mind.

He has an awful record as a manager at VP, not won in 8 visits.